For the most part, summer is wildflower season here in Washington. In July and August, many of our trails at Mt. Rainier National Park, the Snoqualmie Region, and along the Olympic Peninsula are lined with beautiful blooms.

Luckily, you don’t have to wait that long for wildflower hiking in the Evergreen State—you just have to know where to look. We highly recommend hiking the Weldon Wagon Road Trail in mid-spring for the first blooms of the season. It’s enchanting.

You'll find the Weldon Wagon Road Trail in the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge, not far from the town of White Salmon.
Nancy Lankford / alltrails.com
To reach it, turn onto State Route 141A from Highway 14. Head north for two miles, then turn right onto Indian Creek Road. Follow this gravel road for .6 miles, then veer left on Indian Cemetery Road. In about .4 miles, you'll see an unmarked jeep road on your right and a wide spot on the left where you can park.
This trail is, in fact, an old wagon road. It was originally named the Weldon-Hyndman Road by the petitioners and builders, Elwin Weldon and Henry Hyndman.
Nancy Lankford / alltrails.com
It was built to connect the Sandborn Road to the town of Husum, and it wasn't converted into a hiking trail until the 1990s. You'll still see a little evidence from its wagon days along the way.
The hike is just under five miles in length, and it's considered a moderately challenging trek.
Zach Pollock / alltrails.com
There are some steep inclines, and the entire thing has an "off the beaten path" feel. Just make sure to stay on the actual path, as there is poison oak in the area.

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The trail begins on an old road, but as it ascends the ridge, it opens up to beautiful sprawling meadows.
Bernadette Murphy / alltrails.com
Eventually, the trail narrows to a wide foot path, climbing higher and higher up the ridge.
Here, the wildflowers can start as early as mid-April, depending on the year.
Rachel Wolverton / alltrails.com
By early May, you'll start to see some serious blooming, which will continue all summer long.
Be aware that this trail does cross into private property at times, which is another good reason to stay on the path (and to be especially respectful of the land).
Kerry Godfrey / alltrails.com
The property owners do permit hikers to walk through, but they may block off access during wildfire season if it's especially hot outside.
If you hike this trail on a cool spring morning, you just might have the entire thing to yourself.
Zach Pollock / alltrails.com
Either way, you're in for an enchanting adventure.

Do you have a favorite wildflower hike?

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Weldon Wagon Trail, Washington 98672, USA